Capt Arthur de Bells Adam (MC)
1885 - 1916

CPL David Wallace Crawford
1887 - 1916

Lce-Corpl John Joseph Nickle
1894 - 1916

Pte 17911 Morton Neill
1897 - 1916

Lieut Edward Stanley Ashcroft
1883 - 1918

Pte 22310 Herbert Armstrong

Age: 22
From: Crewe, Cheshire
Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 20th Btn
D.O.W Thursday 12th April 1917
Commemorated at: Warlincourt Halte Brit Cem
Panel Ref: VIII.B.5

Born Samuel Herbert on the 03rd January 1895 in Coppenhall, near Crewe, he was the illegitimate son of Ada Armstrong. He was baptised on the 30th January 1895 at St Michael's Church, Coppenhall, his mother Ada a single woman of 14 Parker’s Road, Coppenhall. She married Charles Walter Boden on the 17th December 1896 at Wedgewood Methodist Chapel, Heath Street, Crewe. Charles is most probably the “Charles Armstrong” referred to in his service record.

In 1901 Herbert aged 6 is living with his paternal grandparents John and Maria Armstrong, at 11 Parker’s Road, Coppenhall. His grandfather is 51 years old, born in Bunbury, Cheshire and is a labourer at a mortar mill, his grandmother is 49 years old and was born in Beeston, Cheshire. Also in the household are his aunt Lucy Armstrong who is 24 years old and a general domestic servant and his uncle John Armstrong a 20 year old labourer (ash wagon unloader). His parents, meanwhile, had started their own family and were living at Malt Kiln Cottages in Great Budworth, Northwich. Charles Boden was aged 31, a groom and gardener, born Coppenhall, Ada was aged 27, born Bradfield Green, Gordon is 3 and Edith 1.

In 1911 he is aged 16, and employed as an errand boy for a grocery store. He still lives with his grandparents John and Maria Armstrong who have been married for 38 years and have had four children, two of whom have died. Also in the household are Lizzy Armstrong a 24 year old widow described as daughter in law, also her 2 year old daughter Lucy.

He enlisted on 09th November 1914 in Liverpool, joining the 20th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment as Private 22310. He gave his age as 19 years and 10 months, born in Coppenhall, and his occupation was as a grocer. He was described as 5 foot three inches tall, weighed 108 lbs, 35” chest, had a fresh complexion, blue eyes and light brown hair. He stated his religion as Church of England and his next of kin as his father Charles Armstrong, of the Nag’s Head Hotel, Bunbury, Cheshire.

Formed in November 1914 the 20^th Battalion were originally billeted at Tournament Hall, Knotty Ash before on 29^th January 1915 they moved to the hutted accommodation purposely built at Lord Derby’s estate at Knowsley Hall. On 30th April 1915 the 20th Battalion alongside the other three Pals battalions left Liverpool via Prescot Station for further training at Belton Park, Grantham. They remained here until September 1915 when they reached Larkhill Camp on Salisbury Plain. He arrived in France on 07^th November 1915.

His service record shows:

08.05.16 - Wound in right arm whilst on duty.

29.12.16 to 08.01.17 - Granted leave to UK.

11.04.17 - Shrapnel wound to face.

Herbert died of wounds on 12th April 1917 at 43 Casualty Clearing Station, aged 22, he was serving in No.2 Company. A telegram was sent to H.Q. Preston about the deaths of 22310 Armstrong and 57700 Colley.

His death was reported in the Chester Chronicle on Saturday 21st April 1917;

BUNBURY.

ROLL OF HONOUR. - Very sad news has been received by Mr. and Mrs. Boden, "Nag's Head," from the Rev. M. A. Bere, chaplain of the forces, to the effect that their son, Herbert, had been killed in action. He joined the Liverpool "Pals" over two years ago, and had been at the front almost two years. He had been through a great number of engagements, and had only once been slightly wounded. Many expressions of sympathy are to be heard in the locality for his bereaved parents. He was the eldest of the family, and served his time with Hollands, of Crewe. He was only 22 years of age.

His death was also reported in the Manchester Evening News on Monday 14th May 1917;

Pte. H. ARMSTRONG, King's Liverpool Regiment, killed, lived in Parker's Row(sic), Coppenhall, and was in the employ of Mr. Holland, Crewe.

Herbert now rests at Warlincourt Halte British Cemetery in France.

The site of the cemetery was chosen in May 1916. It was used from June 1916 to May 1917 by the 20th and 43rd Casualty Clearing Stations, in February 1917 by the 1/1st South Midland, and from April to June 1917 by the 32nd. The whole of plots VII, VIII, IX and X were filled in April and May 1917, the months of the Battles of Arras. From June 1917, the cemetery was practically unused until the fighting of May and June 1918, when field ambulances buried in it. After the Armistice the cemetery was increased by graves brought in from small military cemeteries.

The cemetery now contains 1,266 Commonwealth burials of the First World War. There are also 29 German and two French war graves.

The cemetery was designed by Charles Holden.

A report in the Nantwich Guardian, 11th May 1917 stated:

"Before the war he was employed in Mr. Holland’s shop, Nantwich Road, Crewe. His parents live in Bunbury but he was brought up by his Grandmother, who lives in Parker’s Road, Coppenhall, Crewe".

He earned his three medals.

Soldiers Effects, Army Pay of £2 12s 4d and a War Gratuity of £7 went to his father James(?). No pension record has been found.

On the 1921 Census at the Nags Head, Bunbury, his mother Ada is aged 47, Charles is aged 50, the licensed victualler, Ethel 21, Lucy 19, Gladys 16, John 13 and Frank 10.

Ada died aged 67 on the 15th February 1936 and was buried at St. Boniface's Churchyard, Bunbury, Cheshire.

The headstone reads:-

The Loving Memory Of

ADA BODEN

Who Died February 15th 1936

Aged 61 Years.

Also

SAMUEL HERBERT

Oldest Son of Charles Walter and Ada Boden,

Who Was Killed in France on 12th April 1917

And Buried in Warlincourt Halte British Cemetery,

Aged 22 Years.

Herbert is commemorated at:-

St Michael’s Church in Coppenhall, Crewe

St Peters Church, Minshull Vernon

Minshull Vernon War Memorial

Bunbury Memorial (as S. Herbert Boden)

We currently have no further information on Herbert Armstrong, If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.

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